World Cup update: Luis Suarez pushes England to edge of tourney exit

Before the World Cup, Uruguay was worried about Luis Suarez's knee and Colombia was fretting over injured Radamel Falcao.

The Associated Press

Before the World Cup, Uruguay was worried about Luis Suarez's knee and Colombia was fretting over injured Radamel Falcao.

Less than a month after surgery, Suarez came back Thursday to score two vital World Cup goals, and Colombia hasn't lost despite missing its star striker. Both South American teams won 2-1 Thursday, Uruguay pushing England to the brink of elimination, and Colombia beating Ivory Coast to go to first place in Group C.

The results further underscored South America's dominance of the World Cup in Brazil. The continent's teams now have 25 points out of a possible 30.Colombia continued to produce goals even without Falcao. For Uruguay, Suarez reinvigorated its campaign after an opening 3-1 loss to Costa Rica. Uruguay is level with Italy and Costa Rica in Group D, and those team meet Friday in Recife.

About 15 miles from the site of the Uruguay-England game in Sao Paulo, about 2,000 people protested against the World Cup, some smashing windows at banks and car dealerships and spray-painted anti-capitalist slogans on buildings.

It was the latest protest to hit Brazil, which has seen hundreds of demonstrations in the past year by people expressing anger about poor public services, corruption in government, the billions spent to host the World Cup and a litany of other complaints.

Inside the stadium, Suarez was hoisted aloft by teammates after the game as if he had won the World Cup.

Earlier in the tournament, stars have been coming through for their nations: Neymar for Brazil, Robin van Persie for the Netherlands, Thomas Mueller for Germany and Lionel Messi for Argentina. Suarez got started later, but he made up for missing a game with his star performance Thursday.

After May 22 surgery on his knee left little hope for a World Cup appearance, Suarez looked completely healthy. He produced his toothy smile even before his header crossed the line to open the scoring. And after Wayne Rooney finally scored his first World Cup goal to tie the game for England, Suarez capped his return with something almost magical in Sao Paulo.

With Uruguay under intense pressure in the 85th minute, Suarez gathered a long clearance that was accidentally headed on by England's Steven Gerrard — his Liverpool teammate. His knee was in full flow as he unleashed a drive that goalie Joe Hart barely had time to see fly by. Suarez fell to the ground in disbelief before he was mobbed by delirious teammates.

"He doesn't miss" from there, England coach Roy Hodgson said.

Suarez produced tears of joy.

There were also tears of anguish. In a moment as memorable as many of the great goals, midfielder Serey Die sobbed uncontrollably during the Ivory Coast anthem.

His thoughts went back to his father who died a decade ago, but "I also thought about my tough life — I didn't think that one day I would be here, playing."

The match provided little joy though, as the 2-1 loss of the Ivory Coast's chances to advance in doubt.

Africa has had a miserable showing at the World Cup, with just 4 points out of a possible 21.